Rolling mill

ABSTRACT

A coil rolling mill in which the supply coil and the finished coil are mounted on swing type reels which are moved to maintain the pass line, the spool for a used supply coil being transferred to the finished coil reel.

United States Patent Feuer et al. [451 July 25, 1972 I5 ROLLING MILL l 56] References Cited [72] Inventors: Mlchael M. Feuer; Richard G. Kotler, UNITED STATES E T Meghan) 3,032,289 5/1962 Fredriksson et al. ..242/79 [73] Assignee: Blaw-Knox Foundry & Mlll Machinery, l,965,2l9 7/ i934 Coe ..242/79 X IIIC., Pittsburgh, Pa. 3,312,416 4/1967 Kajiwara ..242/7s.1

[22] Filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian 21 App}, NM 95,027 Attorney-Smith, Harding, Eariey & Follmer 52 U S Cl I 2 Z 78 [57] ABSTRACT 4 .1 E 1 Int C| "32 4/7/02 A coil rolling mill in which the supply coil and the finished coil [58] Field 61 Search ..242/7s-79; 72/225 Swing Y reels which are maimai" the pass line, the spool for a used supply coil being transferred to the finished coil reel.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures EPZA'TETEJuLZS 4912 SHEET 1 BF 6 RICHARDGKOTLER ATTORNEYS Than 25 m2 sum 2 0r INVENTORS MICHAEL M. FEUER 8s RICHARD -KOTLER flw ATTORNEYS ENE M25 1972 SHEET 3 0F 6 M I 2 R F v INVENTORS G MlCHAEL M. FEUER 8x RIGHARDGKOTLER BY M,M,4 J

ATTORNEYS KTENTEJum m2 3.679.150

IOO'

FIG. 5B.

INVENTORS MICHAEL M. FEUER 8| RICHARDGKOTLER ATTORNEYS PATEEQJUL 25 m2 SHEET 5 BF 6 wlv FIG. 5C.

INVENTORS MICHAEL M. FEUER 8- RICHARDGKOTLER ATTORNEYS ROLLING MILL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to coil rolling mills particularly for foil or the like.

In rolling mills for foil, such as aluminum foil or the like, there is a tendency toward the use of larger diameter coils, such as for example, coils as large as 72 inches in diameter. The foil rolling mills of the prior art have difficulty in handling these large diameter coils particularly in the threading of the foil into the bite of the rolls and in the proper maintaining of the pass line of the mill. The prior art foil mills also have encountered difficulty with the use of Billy Rolls in maintaining a horizontal pass line through the mill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general object of the invention is to provide a coil rolling mill which overcomes the above-discussed problems in the mills of the prior art by eliminating the necessity for using Billy Rolls with their related problems by maintaining a constant horizOntal pass line through the mill regardless of variations in coil diameters. In accordance with the invention the supply coil and the finished coil are mounted on swing type reels, the construction being such that the coils may be positioned to permit accessibility for threading operation and the coils may be swung to a desired position to maintain a constant pass line. Also there is provided means for transferring a spool from the unwinder on the entry side of the mill to position it on the winder or the exit side of the mill to receive the next rolled strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side view of a coil rolling mill in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 with various portions broken away to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a detail;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5A through 5F are diagrammatic views illustrating the method of operation of the rolling mill in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The rolling mill in accordance with the invention comprises a conventional four high rolling mill stand indicated generally at comprising the usual work rolls l2 and backup rolls 14. The mill stand comprises the usual frame 16 for supporting the rolls [2 and I4 and is generally conventional in construction. The mill is particularly adapted for the rolling of foil and the pass line of the mill which passes through the work rolls 12 is indicated generally at 18 and the floor line of the mill is indicated at 20. The foil strip is passed through the mill from the right or entry side to the left or exit side with the foil being passed between the two work rolls 12 as is entirely conventional in the art.

On the entry side of the mill there is provided a pit 22 beneath the floor line and on the exit side of the mill there is provided a similar pit 24, the purpose of which will be apparent hereafter.

On the entry side of the mill there is provided a coil unwinder means indicated generally at 26 which serves to support a coil of the material to be rolled and unwind this coil to feed the strip to the mill 10. In accordance with one aspect of the invention theunwinder means 26 is adapted to support a coil to be rolled for a swinging movement from a position within pit 22 as shown in FIG. I to an upper position such as that shown in FIG. 5D, for example. To this end, there is provided a pair of arms 30 each of which is mounted on a pivot 32 at one end, the pivots being suitably rotatably supported on a frame member 34 of the machine. The arms 30 are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit the coil 25 to be positioned therebetween. At an extended end portion the arms 30 carry a spool engaging mechanism comprising a conical member 40. The conical members 40 are adapted to drivingly engage the spool 42 of the coil 25 as is best shown in FIG. 2. This type of driving engagement is conventional in the art.

Means are provided for moving the arms 30 about the axis of their pivots 32 to move the coil engaged by the members 40 between the positions described above. Such means comprises a pair of coil lift hydraulic cylinders 50 whose actuator arms 52 are connected to the end of an associated crank arm 54. The crank arms 54 are secured to the pivots 32 for conjoint movement. In this manner, the actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 50 to cause the pivoting movement of the crank arms 54 will cause the rotation of the pivot 32 which will cause a corresponding rotation of the arms 30 and the coil 25 carried thereby may be raised and lowered in a swinging movement about the axis of pivots 32.

Means are provided for positioning the unwinder 26 at the proper elevation during the rolling operation so as to maintain the strip extending from the delivery end of the coil 25 to the work rolls 12 in alignment with the pass line 18 at all times. To this end, there is provided a pair of screw driven nut means located adjacent each side of the strip, each such means comprising a nut 60 engaged by a vertically extending lead screw 62 which is driven by a screw drive 64 supported on the frame 16 at the upper end thereof. Each of the screw drives 64 is driven by a reversible motor 66 supported on a transversely extending member 17 of frame 16 as shown in FIG. 2. By this mechanism, the rotation of the lead screws 62 within nuts 60, which are held against rotation by contact with the frame, serves to move the nuts 60 vertically along the entry side of the mill. The parts are constructed and arranged so that rotation of motor 66 in one direction causes an upward movement of nuts 60 while rotation of motor 66 in the opposite direction causes a downward movement of nuts 60.

Each of the arms 30 is provided with an extended end portion 70 which is located beyond the coil engaging mechanism on the arms. The parts are arranged so that when the arms 30 are swung upwardly from the position shown in FIG. I the end members 70 move into the path of nuts 60. Thus, the nuts 60 can be positioned so that members 70 will come into contact with the lower side of the nuts 60 as is shown in dashed illustration in FIG. I and as is also shown in the various schematic showings in FIGS. 5A to SF.

There is also provided means which clamp the members 70;

into contact with the nuts 60 so that as the nuts 60 are moved vertically, the members 70, and accordingly the arms 30, will follow the movement of the nuts 60. This means comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 72 each located above one of the nuts 60 and having a long actuator arm 74 which extends through an opening in the associated nut 60. At their lower ends each arm 74 supports a clamping member 76 beneath the associated nut 60. It will thus be apparent that when the cylinders 72 are actuated to retract their actuator arms 74 upwardly, the clamping members 76 will move upwardly toward the nut 60 and if the end members 70 on pivot arms 30 are positioned adjacent the lower end of nuts 60, the clamping member 76 will move up into clamping engagement with the member 70 to hold the same in contact with the nuts 60. Thus, as the nuts 60 are caused to move vertically by rotation of the lead screws 62, the end members 70 of arms 30 will move along therewith. As will appear hereafter, this mechanism may be utilized to control the position of the pivot arms 30 and, of course, the coil 25 supported thereby to maintain the strip fed to the mill in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation.

On the exit side of the mill there is provided a coil winder means 26 the construction of which is essentially identical to that of the coil unwinder means 26 wherefore corresponding parts have been given like reference numerals with primes added. The winder means 26 is constructed and arranged to move a rolled coil 25' between a lower position within the exit pit 24 as is shown in FIG. 5D and an upper position as is shown in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. SA and B.

To this end, there is provided a pair of arms 30' each of which is mounted on a pivot 32 rotatably supported on a frame member 34' of the machine. The arms 30 are spaced apart on opposite sides of the coil and carry a spool engaging mechanism including a conical member 40' adapted to drivingly engage the spool 42 of the coil 25' in a manner similar to the arrangement for the coil unwinder means 26.

There is provided means for moving the arms about the axis of pivots 32 for effecting a corresponding movement of the coil 25. Such means comprises a pair of coil lift hydraulic cylinders 50 whose actuator arms 52 are connected to the end of an associated crank arm 54, the crank arms being secured to the pivots 32. It will be evident that the operation of the hydraulic cylinders 50 will cause a swinging movement of the coil 25 about the axis of the pivot 32'.

There is provided means for positioning the winder 26 at the proper elevation during a rolling operation so as to maintain the strip extending from the work rolls 12 to the coil 25 in alignment with the pass line 18. To this end, there is provided a pair of screw driven nut means each comprising a nut 60 engaged by a vertically extending lead screw 62' driven by a screw drive 64 supported on a transversely extending member 17 of the mill frame 16 The rotation of the lead screws 62' serves to move the nuts 60' together vertically across the exit side of the mill.

Each of the arms 30 has an extended end portion 70 arranged so that when the arms 30 are swung upwardly from the exit pit 24 about the axis of pivots 32', the end member 70' move into the vertical path of nuts 60'. Accordingly, the nuts 60 can be positioned so that members 70' will come into contact with the lower side of the nuts 60 as shown in FIG. 1 and in various schematic showings in FIGS. 5A to SF.

Means are provided for clamping the members 70 into contact with the nuts 60 to provide for conjoint movement of the arms 30' with the nuts 60. Such means comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 72 each located above and associated with one of the nuts 60 and having an actuator arm 74 extending through openings in the associated nuts 60. The lower ends of the arms 74 support a clamping member 76' beneath the associated nut 60'. When the cylinders 72 are actuated to retract their actuator arms 74' upwardly, the clampingmembers 76' may function to clamp the end members 70' of arms 30 into clamping engagement with the nuts 60" Thus, as the nuts 60' move vertically across the exit side of the mill, the members 70' will move along with such nuts 60. This mechanism is utilized to control the position of the pivot arms 30' to maintain the alignment of the rolled strip fed from the mill with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation.

Means are provided for driving the unwinder cone members 40 and the winder cone members 40 during a rolling operation to feed the coil strip respectively to and from the work rolls 12. The drive means is best shown in FIG. 2 and since the drive means for the unwinder 26 and the winder 26' are essentially identical, corresponding reference numerals will be used with primes added to the parts associated with the winder 26'. It will be noted that since the cone members 40 and 40 are moved along with arms 30 and 30' during the rolling operation of the mill, it will be necessary that the drive therefor be adapted to accommodate this movement.

The drive means are indicated at 80 and 80' and are driven through couplings 82 and 82' respectively, from the main drive of the mill. The couplings are connected through a pivoted gear means 84 and 84 to drive the spindles 43 and 43 of one of the cone members 40 and 40, the drive for cone member 42 being shown in FIG. 2 and comprising a coupling 86 aligned with the cone drive. There are three drive gears in members 84 and 84 adapted to pivot about the drive gear connected to the couplings 82 and 82', this being best shown with respect to drive means 80 wherein the drive gear 88 is shown connected to the couplings 82 and the casing for the member 84' is shown as supporting the other two gears 89 and 90' for pivotal movement about the gear 88'.

The casings 84 and 84 are supported on the arms 30 for pivotal movement therewith as is best shown in FIG. 2. Thus, casings 84 and 84' are connected to arms 30 and 30' by support members and 85' at a location aligned with the cone drive and pivoted on the frame of the machine at a location aligned with pivots 32 and 32 and couplings 82 and 82. The pivot for casing 84' being indicated at 83. By this arrangement the cone members 40 and 40' will be driven at all times during the pivotal action ofthe arms 30 and 30.

There are provided means for actuating the spool engaging cone members axially toward and away from a coil spool for engaging or releasing such a spool as desired. This mechanism may take various of the forms well known in the art. The mechanism is best shown in FIGS. I and 2 and comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinders 92 and 92 associated with the nondriven cone members 40 and 40, respectively. Cylinders 92 and 92 are mounted on associated arms 30 and 30 and have their actuator rods connected to arms 93 and 93' which are secured to the outer ends of sleeve members which rotatably carry the spindles 43 and 43 of cone members 40 and 40' respectively, said sleeve members being mounted for axial movement within the associated arms 30 and 30' to permit movement of the cone members 40 and 40 between the solid and dashed line positions shown in FIG. 2 in response to actuation of cylinders 92 and 92. As was stated above, this construction is conventional in the art wherefore further detailed description is not deemed necessary.

The driven cone members 40 and 40 are also provided with means for moving the same axially. Such means is also conventionally employed with cone drives and only the means associated with cone member 40 is shown in FIG. 2, this means comprising a hydraulic cylinder 96' which is connected to an axially movable sleeve member which rotatably supports the spindle 43' for cone member 40 and cooperates with a gearmotor drive means 97' to position the edge of the cone member 40 relative to the center line of the mill so as to keep the strip centered as it is fed to the coil. There is provided a similar means for positioning the driven cone member 40, this means not being visible in FIG, 2 because of the position of arm 30.

There is provided a movable platform 100 on the entry side of the mill and a movable platform 100 on the exit side of the mill. The platforms 100 and 100' are adapted for movement along the floor line of the mill by means of wheels 101 and 101' running in channels 102 and 102' and are moved by suitable hydraulic motor drives I04 and 104'. The entry platform 100 is adapted for movement between the extended position shown in FIG. 5B and the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 5C and the platform 100 is movable between the extended position shown in FIG. 5B and the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 5C. The extended and retracted positions of platforms I00 and 100' are also shown in FIG. I. The purpose of the platforms is to permit an operator to handle the strip in a manner which will be more fully described hereafter. Briefly, the platforms are utilized in the threading of the strip prior to a rolling operation.

Means are provided for use in the transferring of a spool from the entry side of the mill underneath the mill rolls to the exit side of the mill. As will appear more fully hereafter, this means is utilized in the operation involving taking an empty spool from a coil which has just been rolled and transferring this spool from the unwinder to the winder for use in a subsequent rolling operation.

Such means comprises a framework comprising a pair of spool transfer rails secured together by a pair of transversely extending frame members 112. The upper face of the transfer rails 110 is inclined downwardly from the entry to the exit side of the mill as is best shown in FIG. 2. This inclined construction permits a spool deposited on the rails 1 10 at the entry side of the mill to roll downwardly by gravity to the end of the rails adjacent the exit side of the mill. Means are pro vided for shifting the transfer rails 110 from the solid line position adjacent the exit side of the mill to the dotted line position adjacent the entry side of the mill as viewed in FIG. 1. To this end, there is provided a hydraulic cylinder 114 which has its actuator arm 115 secured by a connection 116 to the frame member 112 adjacent the exit side of the mill. It will thus be apparent that when the actuator arm 1 is extended from the cylinder 1 14, the rails 110 will be in the solid line position and when the actuator arm 115 is retracted, the transfer rails 110 will assume the dotted line position shown in FIG. 1. The manner in which this arrangement is utilized in transferring a spool from the entry side underneath the mill to the exit side thereof will appear more fully hereafter.

There is also provided a pair of spool carrying arms 117 each of which is secured to a clamping member 76. Each of the arms 1 17 is adapted to project inwardly from the member 76 toward the center of the machine and carries a spool catching portion 118 which has a recessed upper surface. The portions 118 of members 117, as is best shown in FIG. 2, extend along the side of the foil in alignment with the portions of the spool 42 projecting outwardly from the coil 25. There is a similar spool carry means on the exit side of the mill. Thus, the clamping members 76' on the exit side of the mill are provided with similar spool carrying arms 117 and portions 118' as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The manner in which the arms 117 and 117 function during the spool transferring operation will appear more fully hereafter.

Means are provided for receiving and supporting a coil to be rolled in the entry pit 22, such means comprising a pair of car supporting rails 120 and 122 which extend transversely of the direction of feed of the strip through the mill. The rails 120 and 122 are located to extend within the pit 22 as is best shown in FIG. 4. Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the rail 120 is supported on a frame member 124 which rests on the floor of pit 22 and the rail 122 is supported on a frame member 126 which is movably supported on the end of a pair of pivoted arms 128 and on top of a pair of wedge-shaped members 130. The wedge-shaped members 130 are carried on the ends of the actuator arms 132 of a pair of hydraulic cylinders 138. The pivoted end of arms 128 are supported on a frame 140 by a pair of plate members 142 as is best shown in FIG. 4, said frame 140 resting on the floor of the pit 22. The hydraulic cylinders 138 and their associated wedge shaped members 130 are also mounted on the frame 140.

The rails 120 and 122 are adapted to receive a coil buggy 150 by engagement with the wheels 152 and 154 thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the wheels 152 are constructed to project downwardly around the rail 120 to secure the coil buggy against lateral movement on the supporting rail. The coil buggy is delivered to the rails 120 and 122 within pit 22 by way of a suitable trackway, the delivery end of which is indicated at 156 in FIG. 4, such trackway extending parallel to the rails 120 and 122 from a coil storage bay (not shown).

The coil buggy 150 comprises a base framework 158 and a pair of upright frame members 160, At the upper ends of members 160 there is provided a spool supporting member 162 which presents an upwardly facing spool contacting surface 164. The coil 25 is supported on the coil buggy with the extended ends of its spool 42 resting on members 164 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The pivoted support for the rail 122 is utilized to tilt the coil buggy 150 toward the mill to permit an easier removal of the coil 25 from the coil buggy 150. The manner in which this is achieved in accordance with the operation of the mill will be described more fully hereafter. The manner in which the coil buggy is tilted will be described with particular reference to FIG. 3. Thus, when the hydraulic cylinders 138 are actuated to extend their arms 132 to the left as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, the wide portion of the wedge 130 is positioned beneath the support 126 for the rail 122 so that the rail is in its upper position and is parallel to the rail 120. Accordingly the coil buggy 150 is in its normal horizontal position. In order to tilt the coil buggy 150, the cylinders 138 are actuated to retract their arms 132 to position the narrow portion of the wedge shaped members 130 beneath the support 126 which allows the arms 128 to pivot downwardly to position the rails 122 at an elevation slightly lower than the rails 120. Accordingly, the coil buggy 150 will be tilted in a direction facing the mill such as is shown in the schematic FIG. 5A. This permits the easier removal of the coil from the coil buggy by the pivoting action of the arms 30 as will be described hereafter.

On the exit side of the mill, there is provided a coil buggy support arrangement identical with that described above with respect to the entry side of the mill. Accordingly, the corresponding parts have been given like reference numerals with primes added. The utilization of the exit side of the mill coil buggy arrangement will be discussed hereinafter with respect to the description of the general operation of the mill.

There may be provided suitable control means for effecting the operation of the various power operated means described above, i.e. the hydraulic cylinders and motor drive means. As shown in FIG. I, the main control panel 168 may be positioned at a desired location in a stationary position. There may also be provided auxiliary controls mounted on the movable platforms and 100, such controls being indicated at 170 and 170, respectively.

Although not shown, the mill may be provided with a conventional thickness gauge or a suitable ironing roll. There may also be provided an optional entry bridle if desired. However, these means are not related to the invention and the description thereof will not appear herein.

The operation of the machine in accordance with the invention will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 5A through 5F which schematically show various stages in the sequence of operation of the machine.

The first stage in a cycle of operation is illustrated in FIG. 5A wherein it will be noted that a coil buggy 150 has been delivered onto the tracks and 122 in the pit 22 and the rack 122 has been lowered to tilt the coil buggy toward the mill stand 10. The spool engaging mechanism has been actuated to cause the spool 42 of the coil 25 to be engaged by the conical members 40 of unwinder 26 and the platform 100 has been partially advanced to a position just above the top of the coil 25. The front edge of the strip of the coil has been manually lifted to the position shown in FIG. 5A by an operator. On the exit side of the mill it is noted that the winder 26 has been elevated and the clamping mechanism has been actuated to clamp the winder in position in contact with the nut 60 of the winder moving means. The spool 42 which is to receive the rolled foil has been engaged by the members 40. The platform 100' has been advanced to the position so that an operator may be positioned adjacent the spool 42 held on the exit side of the mill.

The next step in the cycle of operation involves the threading of the strip onto the rolls. This is achieved by advancing the platform 100 to the position closely adjacent the work rolls 12 shown in FIG. 58 whereby the operator threads the forward end of the strip through the work rolls 12 from the entry side of the mill. An operator on the exit side of the mill takes this forward end and manually starts it on the winder spool 42 in accordance with conventional procedures. The strip of foil has now been threaded through the mill and onto the winder spool 42'. It is noted that this is also the condition ofthe parts as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The next step involves the clamping of the unwinder 26 onto the means for moving the same, which step involves the actuation of the cylinders 50 to retract actuator arms 52 and pivot the arms 30 in a clockwise direction around pivots 32 until the forward ends 70 of the arms 30 contact nuts 60 which are lowered to the position shown in FIG. 5B. The cylinders 72 will then be actuated to raise the clamping members 76 to effect the clamping of the unwinder means 26 onto the screw driven nuts 60.

The rolling operation is then started with the motor 66 operating to cause the nuts 60 to move upwardly as the coil 25 is fed to the mill so as to maintain the upper end of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill. At the same time the motor 66' is operated to cause the nuts 60 to move downwardly causing the arms 30' of the winder 26' to move downwardly in a clockwise direction about their pivots 32. The rate of movement of the nuts 60 and 60' is designed so that the upper portion of the coil 25 on the unwinder 26 and the upper portion of the coil 25 on the winder 26 are in approximate alignment so that the foil extending therebetween through the work rolls [2 is maintained in substantial alignment with the pass line of the mill. An intermediate stage in this rolling procedure is illustrated in FIG. 5C wherein approximately one-half of the coil 25 on the unwinder 26 has been passed through the mill onto the coil 25' on the winder 26. It is noted that in this strip rolling condition of the mill both the platforms 100 and 100' have been retracted. It is also noted that during some phase of the rolling procedure the rail means 1 is actuated to the right to the position underneath the unwinder means 26.

FIG. 5D will be referred to in describing what occurs after the rolling has been completed. On the exit side of the mill the winder 26' is unclamped from the winder moving means of the mill (the members 117' being lowered to the position shown) and moved to a position above a coil buggy 150' which has been positioned on the rails I and 122' within the pit 24, the coil buggy 150' having been tilted toward the mill during 'this operation. After this occurs the winder coil is disengaged from the winder mechanism 26. On the entry side of the mill the empty spool 42 on the unwinder 26 is released by the actuation of the meanscontrolling the conical spool engaging member 40. The released spool 42 will be held by the members 117 as is shown in FIG. 5D and the hydraulic cylinders 72 are actuated to lower the clamping mechanism, the spool 42 being partially lowered as shown in FIG. 5D. Also, a new coil is brought into position and positioned on the rails within the entry pit 22.

Referring to FIG. 5E when the members 117 move to the lowermost position shown, the spool 42 will be transferred onto the rail means I10 since the spool supporting surfaces 118 have moved to a position lower than the inclined surface of rails 110. Because of the inclination of these rails 110, the spool 42 will roll underneath the mill toward the exit side thereof as is illustrated in FIG. 5E. Also, on the entry side of the mill the-unwinder 26 has been lowered to the position shown whereat the new coil is engaged by the action of the conical members engaging the spool thereof as was described above. On the exit side of the mill it is noted that the winder 26 has been elevated into contact with the nut 60 and the completed coil has been removed from the pit 24. Also, platform 100' has been advanced to a position adjacent winder 26'.

The final stage of the spool transfer operation occurs when the spool supporting rails 110 are transferred to the left so that the ends of the spool 42 are positioned over the members 117 of the clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism may then be raised upwardly by cylinder 72' to pick up the spool and position it in alignment with the spool engaging members 40' of the winder 26'. This is illustrated with reference to FIG. 5F wherein the spool has been partially raised toward the winder 26' to be engaged thereby. It is also noted that FIG. 5F shows the spool transfer rails ll0 shifted to the left toward the exit side of the mill. During this procedure the coil buggy on the entrance side of the mill has been tilted toward the mill as was described above with reference to FIG. 5A.

After the clamping mechanism has reached its uppermost position, it clamps the winder 26' to nut 60 and positions the spool 42 adjacent the winder spool engaging members 40'. The machine has now returned to the initial position described above with respect to FIG. SA and the cycle is completed.

It will be apparent that the above described procedure and the construction of the mill as described permits the achievement of the objectives of the invention. Thus by providing an arrangement whereby the coil can be positioned below the floor line of the mill it is possible for an operator to manually pick up the forward end of the strip and move it into the bite of the work rolls. The operator will not be hindered by a very large roll being positioned in front of him. Thus, a very effective threading operation may be achieved by reason of the construction in accordance with the invention and by utilizing the method of threading described above.

Also, there has been described a very effective method for maintaining the pass line ofthe mill during a rolling operation.

Further, by reason of the provision of the mechanism for transferring a spool from the unwinder to the winder, there will be no problem with the handling of excess spools.

It will be apparent that the invention is not to be limited except as required by the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a coil rolling mill having a mill stand and a pair of work rolls defining a pass line for a coil of material to be rolled, a coil unwinder means on the entry side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material to be rolled, means movably mounting said coil support means, means adapted to be engaged with said coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line ofthe mill adjacent the entry side of the mill stand for maintaining the strip extending from the delivery end of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, and a coil winder means on the exit side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material delivered from the mill during a rolling operation, means movably mounting said winder coil support means, and means adapted to be engaged with said winder coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the exit side of the mill stand for maintaining the rolled strip passing from the mill to the winder coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, said unwinder coil support mounting means being constructed and arranged to mount the coil for swinging movement in a path transversely to the pass line of the mill.

2. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein said unwinder coil support moving means includes a vertically extending screw drive means having a vertically movable member and means for engaging said coil support means for conjoint movement with said vertically movable member.

3. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 2 wherein said means for engaging said unwinder coil support means with said vertically movable member includes a power operated clamping means movable into and out of engagement with said coil support means for clamping the same into and out of contact with said vertically movable member.

4. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 3 wherein said unwinder coil support mounting means includes power operated means for urging said coil support means into contact with said vertically movable member.

5. In a coil rolling mill according to claim I wherein said unwinder coil support means includes coil drive means for releasably drivingly engaging a coil.

6. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 5 wherein said coil drive means is pivotally mounted for movement along with said swinging movement of said unwinder coil support means.

7. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein each of said coil support mounting means is constructed and arranged to mount a coil for swinging movement in a path transversely to the pass line of the mill.

8. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 7 wherein each of said coil support moving means includes a vertically extending screw drive means having a vertically movable member and means for engaging said coil support means for conjoint movement with said vertically movable member.

9. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 8 wherein each of said means for engaging said coil support means with said vertical movable member includes a power operated clamping means movable into and out of engagement with said coil support means for clamping the same into and out of contact with said vertically movable member.

10. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 9 wherein each of said coil support mounting means includes power operated means for urging said coil support means into contact with said vertically movable member.

11. in a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein each of said coil support means includes coil drive means for releasabiy drivingly engaging a coil.

12. in a coil rolling mill according to claim 11 wherein each of said coil support driving means is pivotally mounted for movement along with said swinging movement of an associated coil support means.

13. in a coil rolling mill having a mill stand and a pair of work rolls defining a pass line for a coil of material to be rolled, a coil unwinder means on the entry side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material to be roiled,.means movably mounting said coil support means, means adapted to be engaged with said coil support means for moving. the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the entry side of the mill stand for maintaining the strip extending from the deiiveryend of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a coiling operation, and a coil winder means on the exit side of the mill stand including coil support means forsupporting a coil of material delivered from the mill during a rolling operation, means movably mounting said winder coil support means, and means adapted to be engaged with said winder coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the exit side of the mill stand for maintaining the rolled strip passing from the mill to the winder coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, said coil to be rolled including a coil of material on a spool, and means for transferring an empty spool from which a coil has been delivered to the mill from said unwinder means beneath the rolls of the mill to the winder means.

14. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 13 wherein said spool transfer means includes rail means underneath the rolls extending between the entry and exit sides of the mill and inclined to guide a spool for rolling from said entry side to said exit side by gravity.

is. in a coil rolling mill according to claim 14 wherein said spool transfer means includes vertically movable means adapted to receive a spool released from said unwinder means and lower it onto said rail means and means adapted to pickup a spool from said rail means and raise it to a position where it can be engaged by said winder means.

16. in a coil rolling mill having a mill stand and a pair of work rolls defining. a pass line for a coil of material to be rolled, a coil unwinder means on the entry side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material to be rolled, means movably mounting said coil support means. means adapted to be engaged with said coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the entry side of the mill stand for maintaining the strip extending from the delivery end of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, and a coil winder means on the exit side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material delivered from the mill during a rolling operation, means movably mounting said winder coil support means, and means adapted to be engaged with said winder coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the exit side of the mill stand for maintaining the roiled strip passing from the mill to the winder coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, in which the pass line of the mill is above the floor line of the mill, a coil receiving pit formed adjacent the entry side of the mill stand, rail means within said pit extending transversely to the path of movement of the strip being rolled for supporting a coil buggy, said rail means including a rail which is mounted for vertical mOvement and means for vertically moving said one rail to cause a tilting of a coil buggy supported thereon toward the mill stand.

17. in a coil rolling mill according to claim 16, a coil receiving pit formed adjacent the exit side of the mill stand, rail means within said exit pit extending transversely to the path of movement of the strip being rolled for supporting a coil buggy, said last-named rail means including a rail which is mounted for vertical movement and means for vertically moving said one rail to cause a tilting of a coil buggy supported thereon toward the mill stand.

18. in a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 having a floor line below the pass line of the mill, means defining a coil receiving pit adjacent the entry side of the mill below the floor line of the mill, said unwinder coil support means being adapted to swing into said pit for engagement with a coil to be rolled which has been positioned within said pit, and a platform mOunted for movement along the mill floor line above said pit from a position directly above a coil within said pit whereat an operator on the platform may pickup the front edge of the coil to a position closely adjacent the work rolls of the mill whereat an operator may thread the front end of the coil into the bight of the work rolls. 

1. In a coil rolling mill having a mill stand and a pair of work rolls defining a pass line for a coil of material to be rolled, a coil unwinder means on the entry side of the mill stand including coil support means for supportIng a coil of material to be rolled, means movably mounting said coil support means, means adapted to be engaged with said coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the entry side of the mill stand for maintaining the strip extending from the delivery end of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, and a coil winder means on the exit side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material delivered from the mill during a rolling operation, means movably mounting said winder coil support means, and means adapted to be engaged with said winder coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the exit side of the mill stand for maintaining the rolled strip passing from the mill to the winder coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, said unwinder coil support mounting means being constructed and arranged to mount the coil for swinging movement in a path transversely to the pass line of the mill.
 2. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein said unwinder coil support moving means includes a vertically extending screw drive means having a vertically movable member and means for engaging said coil support means for conjoint movement with said vertically movable member.
 3. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 2 wherein said means for engaging said unwinder coil support means with said vertically movable member includes a power operated clamping means movable into and out of engagement with said coil support means for clamping the same into and out of contact with said vertically movable member.
 4. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 3 wherein said unwinder coil support mounting means includes power operated means for urging said coil support means into contact with said vertically movable member.
 5. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein said unwinder coil support means includes coil drive means for releasably drivingly engaging a coil.
 6. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 5 wherein said coil drive means is pivotally mounted for movement along with said swinging movement of said unwinder coil support means.
 7. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein each of said coil support mounting means is constructed and arranged to mount a coil for swinging movement in a path transversely to the pass line of the mill.
 8. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 7 wherein each of said coil support moving means includes a vertically extending screw drive means having a vertically movable member and means for engaging said coil support means for conjoint movement with said vertically movable member.
 9. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 8 wherein each of said means for engaging said coil support means with said vertical movable member includes a power operated clamping means movable into and out of engagement with said coil support means for clamping the same into and out of contact with said vertically movable member.
 10. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 9 wherein each of said coil support mounting means includes power operated means for urging said coil support means into contact with said vertically movable member.
 11. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein each of said coil support means includes coil drive means for releasably drivingly engaging a coil.
 12. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 11 wherein each of said coil support driving means is pivotally mounted for movement along with said swinging movement of an associated coil support means.
 13. In a coil rolling mill having a mill stand and a pair of work rolls defining a pass line for a coil of material to be rolled, a coil unwinder means on the entry side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material to be rolled, means movably mounTing said coil support means, means adapted to be engaged with said coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the entry side of the mill stand for maintaining the strip extending from the delivery end of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a colling operation, and a coil winder means on the exit side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material delivered from the mill during a rolling operation, means movably mounting said winder coil support means, and means adapted to be engaged with said winder coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the exit side of the mill stand for maintaining the rolled strip passing from the mill to the winder coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, said coil to be rolled including a coil of material on a spool, and means for transferring an empty spool from which a coil has been delivered to the mill from said unwinder means beneath the rolls of the mill to the winder means.
 14. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 13 wherein said spool transfer means includes rail means underneath the rolls extending between the entry and exit sides of the mill and inclined to guide a spool for rolling from said entry side to said exit side by gravity.
 15. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 14 wherein said spool transfer means includes vertically movable means adapted to receive a spool released from said unwinder means and lower it onto said rail means and means adapted to pickup a spool from said rail means and raise it to a position where it can be engaged by said winder means.
 16. In a coil rolling mill having a mill stand and a pair of work rolls defining a pass line for a coil of material to be rolled, a coil unwinder means on the entry side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material to be rolled, means movably mounting said coil support means, means adapted to be engaged with said coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the entry side of the mill stand for maintaining the strip extending from the delivery end of the coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, and a coil winder means on the exit side of the mill stand including coil support means for supporting a coil of material delivered from the mill during a rolling operation, means movably mounting said winder coil support means, and means adapted to be engaged with said winder coil support means for moving the same and the coil supported thereby transversely to the pass line of the mill adjacent the exit side of the mill stand for maintaining the rolled strip passing from the mill to the winder coil in alignment with the pass line of the mill during a rolling operation, in which the pass line of the mill is above the floor line of the mill, a coil receiving pit formed adjacent the entry side of the mill stand, rail means within said pit extending transversely to the path of movement of the strip being rolled for supporting a coil buggy, said rail means including a rail which is mounted for vertical mOvement and means for vertically moving said one rail to cause a tilting of a coil buggy supported thereon toward the mill stand.
 17. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 16, a coil receiving pit formed adjacent the exit side of the mill stand, rail means within said exit pit extending transversely to the path of movement of the strip being rolled for supporting a coil buggy, said last-named rail means including a rail which is mounted for vertical movement and means for vertically moving said one rail to cause a tilting of a coil buggy supported thereon toward the mill stand.
 18. In a coil rolling mill according to claim 1 having a floor line below the pass line of the mill, meaNs defining a coil receiving pit adjacent the entry side of the mill below the floor line of the mill, said unwinder coil support means being adapted to swing into said pit for engagement with a coil to be rolled which has been positioned within said pit, and a platform mOunted for movement along the mill floor line above said pit from a position directly above a coil within said pit whereat an operator on the platform may pickup the front edge of the coil to a position closely adjacent the work rolls of the mill whereat an operator may thread the front end of the coil into the bight of the work rolls. 